Low Energy - Supplement Recommendations?

#1

Greetings all,

Hope you are all doing well and staying safe and healthy. I am writing to get some advice re: my energy levels. When I started strict Keto 1/1/20, after a couple weeks of being on the diet, I felt my energy levels sky rocket. I felt my brain fog lift and overall felt I had more “clean” energy than ever before. In fact, I didn’t even feel like I needed my morning cup of coffee. However, being almost a full 4 months into a strict keto diet, I have noticed my energy levels drop dramatically. In fact, I feel more exhausted and lethargic than ever before. I am getting plenty of sleep 8+ hours and am eating all my same keto foods and have not wavered. The frustrating thing is now I wake up and coffee has no effect on me. In other words, I can drink as much of it as possible and it won’t do a thing for me. Almost feels like my adrenals are tapped out. It’s quite unfortunate because I have never looked better. I am more fit at 38 than I have ever been in my life…and I barely work out. In that capacity, the diet is amazing! I just wish my energy levels were higher. Does anyone have any thoughts or insight on this? Should I start adding in more Paleo foods and do a hybrid Keto/Paleo diet? Are there any supplements out there that are natural “uppers” that increase energy and cognitive function better than caffeine? Before going on this diet, i used to drink sugar free energy sodas like they were going out of style. I have not had one since I started this diet and unfortunately am feeling drawn back to them just so I can get some work done and not feel wiped out all the time. I thought about Mate, but I think that is less caffeine than coffee. I don’t know…any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I’d hate to quit this diet because of this chronic fatigue, but if I don’t figure something out, I might have to. I look forward to your thoughts :slight_smile: Many thanks for your time and help!

(Bunny) #2

Your fuel burning switch is starting to bend towards burning fat and ketones for fuel rather than glucose that is why you may be feeling weak and lethargic and usually passes with time.

The adrenals are probably tapped as you say because that was your temporary source of energy while your oxidation switch in the mitochondria really starts burning fat and making ketones for fuel and actually using it.

It’s like crossing a long bridge and when you get to the other side you will know it?

(Allie) #3

Salt?

(Bunny) #4

Yes, salt, sodium and magnesium want to keep those a little higher also.

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#5

Do you wake up with Sun rise?

#6

yes I do

(Katie) #7

The things that I can think of are

  • Making sure that you get adequate electrolytes (already mentioned above)
  • What is your body fat percentage? Are you too low?
  • How many calories are you eating? Are you eating enough?
  • What is your protein:fat ratio? Are you getting enough fat? Fat is the source of energy; protein contributes little to energy.
  • Are there other stressors in your life? Are you stressed about the pandemic, work, relationships?
#8

You could be infected with the coronavirus and be asymptomatic. Something to take into account if this feeling of tiredness is recent. Younger O+ blood types tend to be asymptomatic.

Methyl B12 regulates the circadian rhythm and people tend to be tired when they’re deficient.

Lack of vitamin D3 also comes to mind.

Lack of gluconeogenesis can also cause tiredness. This is mostly noticed if you’re still very tired upon waking up.

As mentioned above. Eating more protein than fat.